by JBatey

Approximately 7.5 million people in the UK are diagnosed with a mental illness. In addition, Mental Health UK shares that about one in four experience mental health problems or difficulties, even without a diagnosis. No matter where you look, mental health is an integral part of our lives. To be able to live well and fully, we must take care of our mental health.

Fortunately, there are many activities that we can use to gain a positive mindset, and even some from the comfort of your home – like gardening. It has been proven to be good for the mind and overall well-being, and here are a few reasons why:

Gardening can make you feel satisfied

The act of gardening can make you feel content. It reduces negative emotions and makes you feel more comfortable. Why Garden? – Attitudes and the Perceived Health Benefits of Home Gardening explores the health benefits of gardening and how it provides therapeutic value. Frequent and regular gardening has been shown to contribute to immense personal satisfaction and pleasure, the study reveals. In addition, spending time growing plants can improve your self-esteem.

Gardening promotes healing

Nature heals. As such, gardening can change your attitude and the way you live your life. The Well-Gardened Mind digs deep into the restorative power of nature and the cycle of life. The book likens one’s life to the natural world – a cycle of decline that is always followed by regrowth and renewal. Gardening proves to be a way where you can sustain your innermost self. This is why gardening has a place of importance in our journey to seek healthier mental lives.

Gardening strengthens your connection with nature

Humans need to connect with nature for healthy well-being. Although we can’t always travel to forests, you can start with your garden. As we wrote in our blog post entitled ‘Taking a Deep Adaptation to Nature’, eco-therapeutic practices aim to benefit our nervous systems and general wellbeing. A connection with nature enables us to step out of our busy lives and reboot our mindset.

Gardening reduces anxiety

Another great mental health advantage of gardening is its ability to reduce anxiety. Losing Eden considers nature’s effect on the human mind and earth-related mental health issues, detailing how natural spaces offer solace that can mitigate the negative effects on one’s mental health. Additionally, gardening has also been proven to reduce stress-induced by outside factors. It can reduce symptoms of mental health problems and increase overall quality of life.

If you do not have a dedicated garden or plot of land where you can cultivate one, you can start gardening from inside your home. Try indoor plants or house plants that are suitable for places with more shade (ask your friends for cuttings!). You can also put a box on your windowsill and start your mini garden there. Wherever you set up your garden, just make sure your plants receive their dose of water and natural light to thrive.

For more inspiration and tips, watch BBC’s series ‘Gardeners’ World’. This covers horticultural experts as they share their best tips for gardening, report on main events like the Chelsea Flower Show, and much more.

JBatey is a lover of all things nature. She takes pleasure in tending to her plants and considers it part of self-care and soothing the soul. In her free time, you can find her walking around the beautiful landscapes around the UK, particularly the Kensington Gardens and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Photo credit: Unsplash